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MHC's Black History Month 2007

Tuesday, January 30, 2007 - 12:06pm

Posted: January 30, 2007

This year's events honoring Black History Month at Mount Holyoke celebrate "Phenomenal
Women." (The phrase "phenomenal woman" comes from the Maya Angelou poem of
the same name.) Opening with Girls and Women in Sports Day on Saturday, February
3, an all day festival of female athletes, and closing with An Evening with
Suzan-Lori Parks '85, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, on March 4, the
events will include lectures, informal discussions, music, dance, and socializing. "I
am so excited about this year's Black History Month program because it will
showcase a range of events that will be fun, inspiring, and personal," said
Gladys Girabantu '09, chair of this year's Black History Month committee. "I
believe others as well will grow in their thinking of what a 'phenomenal woman' can
be."

Catherine Adams, MHC's coordinator of multicultural affairs, is pleased about
this year's events. "I hope to see every segment of the campus in attendance
at the phenomenal offering of events for Black History Month," she said. "The
celebration of history, culture, politics, and art will engage students, faculty,
and staff."

"Phenomenal Women: Telling It Like It Is" is sponsored by: Black History Month
Committee, Office of Academic Deans, APAU, Center for the Environment, Office
of Communications, Five Colleges, Health Services, Office of the Dean of Faculty,
Office of the Dean of Students, Office of Student Programs, Office of the President,
and the Department of Physical Education and Athletics.

Saturday, February 3 Girls and Women in Sports Day
In celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD), Mount
Holyoke will invite middle school girls to play with Mount Holyoke College
athletes. This event is supported by the "As Women of Color We Can: Be
Healthy, Be Strong, Be One" grant.9 am-4 pm, Kendall Sports and Dance Complex

Wednesday, February 7Libation Ceremony
An occasion for the community to gather in respect
for past phenomenal women, as well as to rejoice for our phenomenal keynote
speaker, Monique Harden.7 pm, Gamble Auditorium, Art Building

Keynote Event
Monique Harden is the codirector of Advocates for Environmental Human Rights
(AEHR), a nonprofit, public interest law firm in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Since Hurricane Katrina, Harden has been advocating for the human rights
of displaced Gulf Coast residents, which include the right to return to healthy
and safe neighborhoods.7:30 pm, Gamble Auditorium, Art BuildingUpdated: Feb. 9 Listen to audio

Thursday, February 8"All the Ugly People Be Quiet"Akiba Solomon explores how social
and racial constructions of "ugliness" impact the social interaction, socioeconomic
standing, and media representation of women of color.7 pm, Main Lecture Hall, Franklin Patterson Hall, Hampshire College
Sponsored
by Hampshire College: The Lebron-Wiggins-Pran Cultural Center, the Community
Health Collaborative, UMOJA; the Five College Lecture Fund; Amherst College
Office of Campus Center/Student Activities; Office of Multicultural Affairs
at Mount Holyoke College; Office of Multicultural Affairs at Smith College;
and the Student Affairs and Campus Life Center for Student Development
at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Tuesday, February 13"A Known Way, A Safe Passage"
Kavita Khory, associate professor of politics
As part of the Office of Academic Development's new series, associate professor
of politics Kavita Khory will talk about the role that academic achievement
and excellence have played in her career and life journey.6:30 pm, Room 305, Kendade Hall

Thursday, February 15Space Between Dialogue
Conversation on "black," "white," and the space between us all5 pm, MacGregor Hall

"Bicultural Bodies"Leandris Liburd, Ph.D., Division of Adult
and Community Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, explores
the intersection of class, race, and gender for African American women.7:30 pm, Hooker Auditorium, Clapp Laboratory

Friday, February 16Ebony Café
A night of musical and dance performances to celebrate black people's influence
and history in the arts8 pm, Great Room, Blanchard Campus Center

Bringin' It Back Hosted by APAU
Enjoy some old school jams in your best '80s and '90s gear!10:30 pm-2 am, Great Room, Blanchard Campus Center, $4

Tuesday, February 20Phenomenal Men in Our Midst: Family and Relationships
To complement the celebration of "phenomenal women," this panel will consist
of phenomenal men representing the Five College and Springfield areas.6 pm, Hooker Auditorium, Clapp Laboratory

Monday, February 26Space Between Dialogue
Conversation on "black," "white," and the space between us all5 pm, MacGregor Hall

Wednesday, February 28Closing Ceremony: Celebrating the Phenomenal Women in Our Lives
Commemorate a fantastic month with hors d'oeuvres at the Betty!4:30 pm, Betty Shabazz House

Sunday, March 4An Evening with Suzan-Lori Parks '85
The Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, author of 365 Days/365 Plays,
parts of which will be performed February 22-24 and March 2-4 at Mount
Holyoke, lectures and reads from her work.7 pm, Rooke Theatre